Stereotyping can have lifelong effects

The University of Missouri reports a recent study questions the long-held belief that “boys do better in math than girls.” In fact, the study suggests that the stereotype itself could be harming girls’ performance in math, as it is biasing them toward expecting they will not perform as well.

The new study looks at 20 previous studies and found significant scientific flaws in them, which they believe ended up leading to an erroneous conclusion.

This points out the need to be objective, as educators, parents and community members, about any child or group of children’s abilities. Suggestion is powerful, and can lead to lifelong beliefs that can either help – or hurt – a student’s achievement now and in the future.